This is my fourth and final look at new gear from the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show. . .
Kayland 6001
Kick some alpine butt with these beefy expedition boots. A full boot-wrapping gaiter made of Neoprene and a Schoeller soft-shell fabric provides extra warmth, while the footbed is packed with Primaloft for insulation from below. A Vibram outsole is made for climbing rubber-to-rock, or clip on crampons to the sole’s heel and toe grooves and you can work your way up a vertical wall of ice. Available March 2009; $549.95; www.kayland.com
REI Passage 65 Backpack
Made for teens, the Passage 65 is touted to grow as your kid grows. The pack has a highly-adjustable suspension system to fit a range of body sizes, from the scrawny 13-year-old hiking his or her first trail to the buff high-school senior trekking out alone. REI didn’t skimp on components, using the same quality straps, zippers and fabric as seen in its adult line. Nice touches include a top lid that detaches and can be used as a lumbar pack, and a pre-curved hip belt to better match your youngster’s anatomy from day one. $149; available spring 2009; www.rei.com
Crumpler’s Bumper Issue
Australian messenger-bag maker Crumpler has entered into the hydration pack world with its Bumper Issue, a water-resistant nylon pack that accommodates all common hydration bladder setups. It’ll come in four “exciting colourways,” as the Aussies put it, including red/orange/ yellow, lime/royal blue/white, brown/white/lime and black/gun metal/orange. Features include a main flap with a quick-release clip; three internal compartments; side clips for a bicycle pump or trekking poles; and reflective sections for added visibility while travelling at night. $95; available in November; www.crumplerbags.com
